Fastening device for loose leaf ledgers



E. F. SHORT April 21, 1959 2,882,908 FASTENING DEVICE FOR LOOSE LEAF LEDGERS Filed July 11, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l iiill ill Ill

'iill" n l n I Emmer/ F. Shari INVENTOR.

Apm'ifi 21, 1959 E. F. SHORT FASTENING DEVICE FOR LOOSE LEAF LEDGERS Filed July 11, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Nanny:

IN VEN TOR.

mm mm W llllllllflllllf Emmeff F. Shari i i i United States Patent FASTENING DEVICE FOR LOOSE LEAF LEDGERS Emmett F. Short, Shellman, Ga.

Application July 11, 1956, Serial No. 597,135

2 Claims. (Cl. 129-12) This invention generally relates to a device for securing loose ledger sheets in a binder and facilitating the insertion of or the removal of such ledger sheets from the the binder.

In the development of ledgers or journal post binders, there has been developed a device having a pair of covers with a binder strip along each edge with a pair of upstanding cylindrical posts on one of the binder strips and a plurality of apertures in the other binder strip for adjustably receiving the posts together with means for locking the binder strip movably on the posts. Ledger sheets have been provided with a series of apertures along one side edge thereof with slits communicating the apertures with the adjacent side edge whereby the loose sheets may be inserted or removed from the ledger by lateral movement with the slits receiving the posts. Inasmuch as the posts are substantially larger than the slits which are of smaller width than the diameter of the apertures and the posts, the slits are quite often mutilated and ruptured by the bending upwardly or downwardly of the side edges of the slits. When the edges of the slits are mutilated, the ledger sheets sometimes are not effectively retained on the posts and sometimes become acidentally disengaged therefrom. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for loose ledger sheets by the provision of a generally oval-shaped post having a major and minor axis with the minoraxis being just slightly larger than the width of the slit and the major axis being substantially equal to the diameter of the apertures at the inner ends of the slits together with novel means for rotating the posts from a position for insertion or removal of the ledger sheets to a position for holding the ledger sheets in position and for a rigid clamping engagement of the upper cover or hinder to the posts.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, adaptation for its particular purposes, long lasting construction qualities and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ledger employing the fastening device of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a diagramatic plan view illustrating a ledger sheet and the position of the posts during insertion of or removal of the ledger sheets;

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the position of the posts and loose ledger sheet when the posts are in their locked positions;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plan passing along section line 4-4 of Figure 1 illustrating the details of construction of the interior of the binding strips or housings;

2,882,988 Patented Apr. 21, 1959 Figure 5 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating further structural details of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a detailed plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 6-6 of Figure 5 illustrating the specific structural details of the locking bar and its relationship to the posts;

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7-7 of Figure 5 illustrating the details of the post rotating mechanism;- and,

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a plan passing along section line 8-8 of Figure 6 illustrating the relationship of the tubular bushings, the rotatable post and the locking bar for engaging the post through the lateralopening in the bushing, and sleeve. I

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a ledger or journal post binder incorporating the principles of the present invention and the ledger 10 includes an upper cover 12 and a lower cover 14 with a plurality of insertable and removable loose leaves or sheets 16 disposed therebetween. The inner edge of the covers 12 and 14 is provided with binder strips in the form of hollow casings 18 and 20 which are completely enclosed and are substantially the same thickness as the covers 12. Each of the loose leaf sheets 16 is provided with a plurality of apertures 22 adjacent one side edge thereof with a relatively narrow slit 24 intercommunicating the apertures 22 and the adjacent side edge wherein the slit 24 is substantially less in width than the diameter of the apertures 22 for a purpose described hereinafter.

Referring now specifically to Figure 5, the lower casing 20 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced upstanding bosses 26 which are disposed in opposition to downwardly extending bosses 28 in the upper wall thereof which are interconnected by a cylindrical bushing 38 which is rotatably supported in the bosses 26 and 28. Disposed in the bushing 38 is the cylindrical portion 40 of an elongated oval-shaped upstanding post 42. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 40 of the post 42 is provided with an internally threaded socket 44 for receiving a screw-threaded fastener 46 extending through an aperture 48 in the boss 26 for rotatably supporting the post 42 in the casing 20. It is noted that the socket 44 is slightly less in length than the screw-threaded fastener 46 whereby the head of the screw-threaded fastener 46 will be slightly spaced from the bottom of the boss 26 in order to permit freedom of rotation of the post 42 about its longitudinal axis. As illustrated in Figure 7, the bushing 38 is keyed to the cylindrical portion 40 of the shaft 42 by an inwardly extending longitudinal projection 50 and the central portion of the bushing 38 is provided with a worm pinion gear 52 which is in meshing engagement with a worm drive gear 54 mounted on an enlongated rod 56 disposed longitudinally in the casing 20 and terminating in a manipulating or actuating knob 58 on the outer end of the casing 20 whereby rotation of the knob 58 will cause rotation of the post 42 about its longitudinal axis. It is noted that a pair of posts 42 are provided and each post has an identical construction and means for rotating the same whereby the posts 42 will be rotated in simultane- 40 of the post 42 to the bosses 26 whereby it is necessary to permit freedom of rotation of the posts 42.

The upper casing 18 is provided with upper and lower inwardly extending bosses 60 and 62 which are interconnected by a tubular sleeve 64 of cylindrical crosssection which is rigid with the casing 18 and provided with an inwardly extending notch 66 in the forward edge thereof with the notch. 66 being disposed substantially at the center of the.sleeve 64. A rotatable one-piece spool bushing 65 is journalled in said sleeve and is provided with an oval-shaped longitudinal opening for receiving the posts 42.. The bushing 65 is flared at the ends thereof for preventing longitudinal displacement thereof in relation to the sleeves 64. A pair of diametrically disposed notches 67 are disposed in the bushing for selective registry with the notch 66 in the sleeve 64. The notches 67 are so positioned that the relatively flat side of the post 42 will underlie the same. These bushings 65 can be rotated to the proper position when it is desired to slide the binder lid or cover 12 down onto the oval posts 42. The bushing 65 is of a size for closely receiving the major axis of the ovalshaped posts 42 wherein the posts 42 are prevented from any lateral movement, but are permitted free rotation within the sleeve 64, thereby providing firm support for posts 42.

The posts 42 may be provided in a plurality of lengths for accommodating difierent quantities of ledger sheets whereby the posts 42 are interchangeable for adjustment in length.

Disposed on the bottom wall of the casing 18 is a plurality of upstanding supporting ledges 68 upon which rests a laterally movable lock bar 70 having an enlarged central portion 72 having an internally threaded bore 74 extending therethrough for receiving an elongated screw-threaded member 76. The screw-threaded member 76 has a reduced end portion 78 journaled in one side wall of the casing 18 and is provided with a thrust collar 80 adjacent the other end thereof for engagement with the inner surface of an inwardly extending boss in the other side wall of the casing 18. The outer free end of the threaded member 76 is provided with a polygonal portion 84 for engagement by a suitable tool for rotating the screw-threaded member 76 whereby the lock bar 70 will be moved inwardly and outwardly of the notches 66 and 67 for contact with the posts 42. It is noted that an upstanding bracket 86 is provided on one side of the thrust collar 80 thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the screwthreaded member 76 and assuring movement of the lock bar 70. Also, it is noted that the lock bar 70 is provided with notches 88 adjacent the outer end thereof for generally conforming to the contour of the wide or flat side of the oval-shaped post 42 thereby locking the post 42 from rotation and retaining the post 42 in the position illustrated in Figure 3.

In practical operation of the device, the polygonal portion 84 of the screw-threaded member 76 is rotated in a proper manner for loosening the lock bar 70 wherein the knob 58 may be then actuated for rotating the oval-shaped post 42 from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to the position illustrated in Figure 2 for easy insertion of or removal of the loose ledger sheets 16. It is noted that the oval-shaped configuration of the post 42 permits the post 42 to move through the slits 24 with substantially no mutilation or rupture of the edges of the slits 24. Also, the post when turned with the major axis perpendicular to the slit will effectively engage the diametric opposed points of the apertures 22 thereby effectively holding the loose ledger sheets 16 in position between the covers 12 and 14. After the ledger sheets 16 have been inserted or removed, the knob 58 is again actuated to rotate the posts 42 from the position illustrated in Figure 2 to the position illustrated in Figure 3 after which the polygonal member 84 may again be rotated for bringing the locking bar 70 into engagement with the posts 42 through the notch 66. Due to the stationary relationship of the sleeves 4 64, the lock bar 70 will always engage in the notch 66 and one of the notches 67 will normally be aligned with notch 66 when the posts 42 are positioned for retaining the sheets in position for permitting the lock bar 70 to engage posts 42.

There may be provided rubber caps for the ends of the posts 42 thus preventing any possible desk scratching and prevent injury to the binders themselves when opened.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed:

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a plurality of loose sheets having a series of apertures disposed along one side thereof with an entrance slit communicating each aperture with the adjacent side edge, the entrance slits having a width less than the diameter of the apertures, a binder comprising a pair of cover members having a hollow casing along one edge thereof, a pair of upstanding non-circular one-piece posts having a minor and major diameter rotatably and detachably mounted in the lower casing and extending through openings in the upper casing, the openings being defined by tubular bushings with lateral openings communicating with the interior of the casing, means disposed in the upper casing for projecting through the openings in the bushings for locking the upper cover to the posts and rotationally orientating the major axis of the posts in perpendicular relation to the slits in the sheets, and means in the lower casing for rotating the posts when the upper cover is unlocked for positioning the major axis of the posts parallel to the slits for movement therethrough, said means for locking the upper cover to the post including a longitudinally elongated bar having arcuate notches in one side thereof for engaging the posts in parallel relation to the major axis thereof, said bar being laterally movable, and a screw threaded member in engagement with the center of the bar for moving the same laterally for bringing the notches into engagement with the posts thereby locking the posts to the upper cover and disposing the major axis of the posts in perpendicular relation to the entrance slits of the sheets.

2. In combination with a plurality of loose leaf sheets having spaced circular openings along one edge thereof with the openings having entrance slits of less width than the diameter of the opening, a binder assembly comprising a lower binder strip and an upper binder strip, a plurality of spaced one-piece posts rotatably mounted on the lower binder strip, means mounted on the lower binder strip and engaged with the posts for rotating the posts, each of said posts including an ovalshaped portion extending above the lower binder strip, rotation of the posts to a position with he major axis of the oval-shaped portion perpendicular to the edge of the loose leaf sheet permitting the posts to enter the openings by movement through the entrance slits after which the posts may be rotated to a position with the major axis parallel to the side edge of the sheets, the length of the major axis of the posts being greater than the Width of the slits for locking the sheets on the posts, the upper binder having openings slidably and rotatably receiving the oval-shaped portions of said posts, movable means on said upper binder strip clampingly engaging the posts for adjustably locking the upper binder strip to the posts, said means including an elongated bar having arcuate notches on one side edge thereof conforming to the curvature of one side of the ovalshaped portion of the posts for initially rotationally References Cited in the file of this patent orientating the posts about their respective longitudinal axes and then preventing rotation thereof while clamp- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing the upper binder strip to the posts, said upper binder 750,676 Montague I an. 26, 1964 strip being hollow with the openings being defined by 5 771,381 Miller Oct. 4, 1904 tubular bushings forming a bearing surface for the upper 1,060,599 Hughes May 6, 1913 ends of the post. 1,874,092 Finley Aug. 30, 1932 

